Expert advice and insights from Wyoming SBDC advisors to help your business thrive.
Paul Johnson
The bad news: a cyber-attack could not only slow down your small business, it could ruin it. Over 90% of small businesses were targeted by cyber criminals in 2024.
Monica Patten
Naming and creating brand assets for your company can be fun brainstorming activities. However, many founders learn about marketing as they develop their business.
Devan Costa Cargill
In today’s rapidly evolving HR landscape, employee retention is no longer just about competitive pay. It's about building an environment where people want to stay.
Kyle Trumble
Top 3 AI-Driven Techniques to Boost Small Business Awareness on Social Media In today’s digital-first world, social media is often the first place potential customers encounter your brand.
Paul Johnson
Many small business owners ignore cybersecurity because they think it’s another big “thing” they must do when they are already overwhelmed with other tasks.
Rob Condie
Have you ever received an email that you thought might be a little bit suspicious, maybe even fraudulent? People all around the state, and even the world, are seemingly always unfortunately looking...
Ty Schanck
In today's visually-driven market, captivating graphics are no longer a luxury – they're a necessity. For Wyoming's small businesses, however, the cost and time associated with professional design...
Devan Costa Cargill
A dollar is not stretching like it used to. Managing your personal finances is critical if you plan to buy a car, a home, or apply for business funding.
Kenny Overby
Did you know that May is International Export Month? As we celebrate this important time, many of our Wyoming exporters are discovering the invaluable resources offered by the SBDC, the University ...
Steen Stovall
Determining the right amount of cash to keep in your business account is crucial. Many business owners take one of these approaches: keeping an arbitrary amount that feels right, ignoring it until ...
Sarah Mikesell Growney,Janean Forsyth Lefevre
While it is the month of love, we are not helping you find your long-term partner when we talk about matchmaking. “Government matchmaking” means meeting one-on-one with government agencies or prime...
Kyle Harrison
Artificial intelligence can seem like an overwhelming, complicated topic. Nearly every day there’s news about companies like Google and Microsoft investing in AI or incorporating AI tools into thei...
Devan Costa Cargill
Given the vast offering of resources and programs for small business, it can be challenging to decrypt which program will meet the needs of veteran entrepreneurs and business owners.
Audie Cunningham
Many small business owners understand the impact social media marketing can have on their business. The problem I often hear from owners is that they can’t find the time to manage their social medi...
Peggy Baker
What is Foreign Ownership Control and Influence (FOCI) and why does it matter? As you begin to build your business and seek board members, leadership, and investments, it is imperative to be mindfu...
Suzette Nickle
Q&A with Suzette Nickle, Director of the U.S. Commercial Service in Denver, where her team works to help Colorado and Wyoming companies export.
Rob Condie
Is it possible to run your entire business in spreadsheets? Or will you need to upgrade to accounting software that can take additional training and could be costly? From my time working with...
Maureen Johnson
May is known as the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) World Trade Month, so it is the perfect time to determine if exporting could be right for your small business.
P.J. Burns
A business plan is like a roadmap that guides you through starting your business and is a crucial tool for any entrepreneur. It helps you launch your business on the right foot and provides a...
Steen Stovall
Tax season has arrived, and with it the significant accounting and financial challenges it can pose for even the most organized business owners.
Jill Kline
One of the many services the Wyoming SBDC offers is helping entrepreneurs determine their financial needs for starting or expanding their business. This often results in the business seeking a loan.
Kyle Harrison
If you haven’t already considered how you’ll convince shoppers to buy from your store instead of your competitors, now is the best time to start! One of the simplest ways to attract customers to yo...
Peggy Baker
According to the new Small Business Profile just released by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, Wyoming has 7,162 small retail trade businesses and 2,336 small businesses ...
Audie Cunningham
E-commerce sales make up about 22% of total retail sales and online retail sales continue to trend up year over year. So, for many businesses, selling online seems like a great option.
Maureen Johnson
The Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network at the University of Wyoming is one of six nationwide to receive the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Cybersecurity for Small...
Rob Condie
There are many things you need to be aware of right away when launching a small business. One of those things you must know to be successful is the difference between the top five financial account...
Maureen Johnson
On July 1, 2023, Google made the switch from Universal Google Analytics to Google Analytics 4, and you may be wondering, what exactly is different about this version of analytics and why does it...
Audie Cunningham
July is not when you typically start humming holiday tunes, but it is the perfect time to start thinking about your holiday sales season. Starting now will set you up for a successful sales season,...
Maureen Johnson
If you are a small business owner preparing for a strategic planning session, you know that the approaches available to conduct strategic planning are as unique as your small business.
Maureen Johnson
Strategic planning is crucial for small businesses to establish clear goals, allocate resources efficiently, and navigate a rapidly changing business landscape.
Maureen Johnson
Receiving a market research analysis can be incredibly valuable for small businesses. It can provide insights into customer needs, preferences, industry trends, and competitive landscape.
Kyle Harrison
As a small business owner, you likely spend most of your day thinking about your customers. You may consider how many customers you have, what and how much they buy, and how to get new customers.
Maureen Johnson
Advertising a small business to tourists can be a great way to increase sales and revenue. However, it’s important to understand how to effectively advertise to the right audience in order to get t...
Devan Costa Cargill
The tourism industry is facing tough competition when it comes to hiring seasonal workers. With the growing hybrid economy and rising wages, Wyoming business owners have found themselves...
Maureen Johnson
The Wyoming Business Resource Locator tool, accessible at WyomingBusinessResources.org, is an interactive business resource tool that can be used as an informational reference for Wyoming...
Steen Stovall
Obtaining startup funding for a small business can be particularly elusive — as most traditional business loans require one or more years in business — but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
Jim Drever
I attended a session at the 2022 America’s Association of Small Business Development Centers conference about business leases, which inspired me to look further into the topic.
Peggy Baker
As business owners and managers prepare for the year ahead, employee annual reviews and goal setting are also on the horizon. How do you make your employees’ annual reviews and goal-setting more...
Peggy Baker
A client from Casper recently called me up and asked a tricky question, “How do I prepare my business for the digital future?” As I thought about how to answer that question I couldn’t help but...
Devan Costa Cargill
Workplace morale should be a top priority for employees and small business owners alike. Spending time in a positive work environment is important for productivity and retention.
Paul Johnson
As a small business owner, you obviously wear many hats in your operation. In most cases, you likely wear all the hats. Creating and implementing a sustained, strategic marketing effort is a...
Cindy Unger
As a small business owner, you need to be thinking about some kind of retirement savings for yourself and your employees. In this competitive employment environment, having a retirement plan for yo...
Kelly Haigler Cornish
Small businesses interested in applying for funding through the federal small business innovation research (SBIR) and small business technology transfer program (STTR) have a couple of options to...
Mike Lambert
Wyoming business owners are struggling to retain staff and one of the most common things I hear when speaking with clients is, “I just can’t afford to increase salaries in this economy, and my...
Jill Kline
John from Cheyenne recently sent me a note asking, 'How soon can I expect to see some real growth in my new business?' That's a good question and one that is on any new business owner's mind, but...
Nik Giraldo
Starting a small business is tough. It takes grit, courage, and discipline to take an idea and make it a functioning business in the face of difficult odds.
Audie Cunningham
If you’re anything like me, the holidays often sneak up on you. If you are a busy entrepreneur, this may be particularly true for you too. No matter what time of year you’re reading this post –...
Peggy Baker
The Wyoming Community Navigator Program was created to assist small business owners, especially rural, Veteran, Women and Minority owned business owners, and connect them with available resources a...
Steen Stovall
Inadequate cash flow management can cripple a small business and is one of the major causes of small business or start-up business failure. Here are seven tips to avoid cash flow problems at your...
Kyle Harrison
I’ve performed in many marketing roles, and by far the most difficult is social media management. Platforms change and trends come and go. In the Wyoming SBDC Network Market Research Center (MRC), ...
Jim Drever
I recently returned from a business trip, so this topic is fresh on my mind. There are a lot of different levels of protection you may need depending on where you are going and what information and...
Peggy Baker
Communication within your staff is one of the most critical investments you can make in your business. Building the infrastructure for internal communication takes time and can be challenging when...
John Privette
If you are shipping goods to international markets, your pricing strategy should include Incoterms. If you pick the wrong incoterm or do not understand the definition, the cost of your mistake coul...
Janean Forsyth Lefevre
Word to the wise: Give yourself a lot of lead time when renewing your SAM registration and if possible, renew BEFORE it expires. In April of 2022, the SAM.
Paul Johnson
In early 2020, I contributed a Biz Tip article on staff development, but much has changed in the composition of our workforce during that time.
Cindy Unger
As a Business Advisor, I ask almost every start-up entrepreneur I work with if they have any bookkeeping experience. The reply I get is often accompanied by a look of panic.
Kelly Haigler Cornish
The federal agencies participating in the small business innovation research (SBIR) and small business technology transfer (STTR) issue funding opportunity announcements that list research topics.
Rob Condie
As businesses look for ways to make their operations more efficient it makes sense to look within at their own processes and practices. In many cases this means reviewing training protocols and job...
Mike Lambert
If you have been a user of Google’s G-Suite or Google Apps for your business, you are undoubtedly aware that this formerly free program has transitioned into a paid subscription service that is now...
Jill Kline
The Small Business Administration (SBA) approved 5,694 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) in Wyoming, totaling more than $600,000,000. The operative word is loans.
Audie Cunningham
We all know that catching your audience’s attention on social media is important. We also know that it can be a difficult goal to achieve. Many small business owners are managing their own social...
Steen Stovall
In today’s competitive environment having a website is critical for a small business’ success. However, just having a website isn’t enough, you need to make sure to optimize it in order to convert...
Jim Drever
Most of the time cybersecurity focuses on online threats. While this is important as there are plenty of people fiddling to see if they can trick you or find a way to remotely break into your...
P.J. Burns
Hiring individuals that fit into your company culture has always been important, but now with national unemployment at historic lows, choosing employees that are most likely to stick around is...
John Privette
By Guest Author: Patty Brewer, Export Finance Manager with the SBA’s Office of International Trade As I drop my kids off at school, I hear other parents telling their children – Make Smart Choices...
Paul Johnson
“Customer Experience” is one of the biggest buzz phrases in business today. Some large companies have even installed a Chief Experience Officer in the executive suite.
Cindy Unger
Estimated Taxes for Small Businesses Estimated Tax is the method used by the IRS to collect taxes on income that is not subject to withholding, such as income from self-employment, interest,...
Jake Dixon
Not much beats social media when it comes to sharing experiences with friends, family and even your small business. Whether you pay for ads on social media or prefer to expand your reach organicall...
Rob Condie
Those looking to start or grow a small business inevitably run into the accounting systems vs Excel worksheets matchup when tracking their finances.
Mike Lambert
One of the services that we offer at the Wyoming SBDC Network Market Research Center is no-charge analysis and recommendations for websites and social media.
Peggy Baker
About the GRO-Biz Conference Federal, state, and local governments spend millions of dollars every year to purchase products and services from small businesses in Wyoming.
Steen Stovall
When starting a business, there are four fundamental areas that need to be addressed: business concept, organization, customer relations, and operations.
Bruce Morse
One of the most frequent questions we receive is regarding cash flow challenges that business owners are facing. It is one of the things that tends to keep them up a night and yet they aren't sure...
Peggy Baker
By guest author Patty Brewer, Export Finance Manager with the SBA's Office of International Trade Robert Heinlein said there was no such thing as a free lunch.
Janean Forsyth Lefevre
Big news about SAM.gov! By April 4, 2022, the federal government will transition away from using the DUNS Number as the authoritative entity identification number.
Paul Johnson
The New Year is when many of us attempt to revisit and revise our personal habits. It's also a great time to do the same with business operations.
Cindy Unger
The answer to that question is a resounding yes. However, the reasons for writing a business plan may not be what you think. Learn why a business plan is essential for your startup success.
Kelly Haigler Cornish
Is your small business looking to apply for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding at the Department of Energy (DOE)? If yes, you will want ...
Jake Dixon
Encourage Early Shopping to Avoid Last Minute Disruptions Supply chain issues are not getting any better and could get worse the closer we get to the holiday season.
Rob Condie
The biggest hurdle that I have seen for those looking at starting a business in Wyoming is finding funding. This obstacle is different for every business as some businesses (such as service...
Mike Lambert
As I sit at my desk on a beautiful September day, I am intrigued by an on-going class that is being offered through the Wyoming SBDC Network entitled The Five Principles of Marketing. This class details five disciplines that are vital in developing a marketing strategy.
Bruce Morse
It goes without saying that every business strives to build a professional team of employees to serve their customers. But not everyone sees the importance of building a team of professionals to...
Paul Johnson
Writing effective advertising, web, or social media content is vital to customers making a purchasing decision or even visiting your establishment.
Cindy Unger
As a sole proprietor, partner or member of an LLC, you will be responsible for paying Estimated Taxes to the IRS on a quarterly basis at the point where you owe tax of $1,000 or more when your retu...
Rob Condie
Keeping your employees engaged can be a struggle, especially if you’re trying to get back to pre-COVID levels of morale. Higher morale often leads to increased output from your workers, higher...
Janean Forsyth Lefevre
Government contractors are all familiar with SAM: The System for Award Management. This is often the first stop on the journey to becoming a contractor as a firm registers here to do business with...
Peggy Baker
From Guest Author Patty Brewer, Export Finance Manager with the SBA’s Office of International Trade. You are reaching for the moon. You are exporting your awesome product and getting attention from...
Bruce Morse
Spring is here and we are fast approaching the start of Summer. With the warmer weather comes an influx of visitors to Wyoming businesses ready to see what you have and spend their money.
Audrey Jansen
As part of the expanding services within the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network’s CARES Act Recovery Program, we launched a one-stop e-commerce site for Wyoming entrepreneurs,...
Cindy Unger
Credit card acceptance seems quite simple on the surface but behind the few seconds between cardholder swipe and receipt, the process is quite complex, involving multiple stages and companies.
Audrey Jansen
As part of the expanding services within the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network’s CARES Act Recovery Program, a one-stop e-commerce site has been released for Wyoming...
Andi Lewis
It is becoming increasingly important that federal contractors implement a robust cybersecurity program. Why? The 1 reason is to protect your company from unscrupulous people or organizations who...
Peggy Baker
It is a tough time to be a small business owner; trying to support production and manage your team all during a global pandemic, looking for ways to diversify your customer base.
Mike Lambert
Is your logo working for you? In today’s economy, branding is more important than ever. However, in my work with the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network’s Market Research Cente...
Steen Stovall
In the normal life cycle of every business there are going to be some periods of highs and lows. However, there may be periods when the highs may get really high and the lows may get really low.
Bruce Morse
One thing that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed for many small business owners is that they were not as prepared as they could have been for a dramatic financial downturn.
Janean Forsyth Lefevre
Federal, state, and local governments spend millions of dollars every year to purchase products and services from small businesses in Wyoming.
Paul Johnson
Now, more than ever, alternate approaches to reach potential customers are vitally important. Some of those channels might include a revamped social media strategy, a fresh look at product and...
Cindy Unger
If you are selling online, then you may be responsible for collecting and remitting sales tax to any of the over 12,000 tax jurisdictions in the United States.
Jim Drever
Poor password management is probably the cause of most of my calls and emails that begin with the phrase “I think I’ve been hacked…”. There is a wonderful darkweb site (pwndb) that has a searchable...
Rob Condie
Businesses with a remote workforce are now dealing with another operational challenge due to the pandemic – how to keep the business’ financials up-to-date when there is only one copy of the...
Jake Dixon
The digital marketing landscape in 2020 is more crowded now than ever, and you can probably guess why. As more small businesses across Wyoming are getting into e-commerce, entrepreneurs are finding...
Steen Stovall
What are the Five Key Financial Ratios for Small Business Owners Small business owners often overlook the importance of financial ratios. Financial ratios, simply stated, are tools that turn a...
Andi Lewis
Wyoming woman-owned businesses can take one or several approaches when it comes to working with large companies, the state, or the federal government.
Mike Lambert
Today, one thing most people will agree upon is that the world in late 2020 is vastly different than the one we lived in a hundred years ago… or was it January? This change covers most areas of lif...
Bruce Morse
Consumers have been moving more of their purchases online even before the pandemic hit. However, when COVID-19 did hit the move to online purchasing accelerated at such a clip that it is leaving so...
John Privette
What is the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement? The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is an updated version of the nearly 25-year-old, trillion-dollar North American Free Trade...
Bruce Morse
The COVID-19 pandemic that has descended on the entire world has shed a bright light on the need for paying attention to the financial side of a business.
Kelly Haigler Cornish
Did you know the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik, the world’s first human-made satellite in 1957, lead to modifications in the US government’s purchase policy with the creation of what is now call...
Mike Lambert
The recent COVID-19 pandemic and resulting public health orders have closed or limited operations for small businesses throughout the state, creating uncertainty among both consumers and business...
Janean Forsyth Lefevre
Small businesses in every industry can potentially expand their markets by selling their products or services to government agencies and a big part of this is developing an effective capability...
John Privette
On May 13, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued guidance for small businesses receiving less than $2 million of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding. The U.S.
Paul Johnson
We’ve clearly heard that the greatest challenges you face during these times are financial pressures. And while numbers ultimately drive the success of your small business, there are other aspects ...
Jake Dixon
It's hard to believe how quickly COVID-19 has changed the business landscape. Every industry has been impacted and small businesses are being hit the hardest.
Jim Drever
Fighting Cyber Threats in Challenging Times The greatest outputs of small businesses during challenging times are often innovation and organizational change.
Nik Giraldo
Wyoming has been hit hard by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, which has forced local governments and businesses to close their doors and cancel events in an effort to protect the public and sto...
Peggy Baker
Many small businesses in Wyoming are still trying to figure out how to operate during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but now is also a good time to make plans for the future.
Andi Lewis
Finding Government Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses Small businesses in every industry can potentially expand their markets by selling their products or services to government agencies.
Jill Kline
How COVID-19 Affects Small Businesses Continuity is important for every stage of business. Wyoming now has several confirmed COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) cases and things are changing quickly.
Steen Stovall
A strategic plan is a written document used to focus a small business’ plans for the future. It summarizes its goals and clarifies why they’re important.
Kelly Haigler Cornish
Identifying your customers goes a long way in increasing a small businesses sales, but it can also play a major role in receiving funding from some sources.
Jessica Schneider
Successful businesses are the result of years of hard work, determination, and sacrifice by business owners and their families. As such, most business owners want to preserve the product of their...
Jake Dixon
Small businesses in almost every industry can expand their market through government contracting. This is due to the large scope of products and services sought by local, state, and federal agencies.
Mike Lambert
As the manager of the Wyoming SBDC Network’s Market Research Center, one of my jobs is to keep an eye on business trends that look like they will impact the businesses in our state.
Bruce Morse
Tax time is upon us, and near the end of 2019, business owners likely received a notice from their county assessor regarding taxes and their personal property that is used in the business.
Paul Johnson
One of the greatest strengths (and liabilities) of owning a small business is that the actions of a single employee can have a direct impact on your bottom line.
Audrey Jansen
When you are running a business, it is incredibly hard to find the time for social media. The phone is constantly ringing (and frustratingly, it’s more likely to be a spam call than an actual...
Cindy Unger
Although crowdfunding has a long history of supporting books, films, art and music projects and more, the first online crowdfunding platform companies started appearing around 2001.
Peggy Baker
Written by guest author Mike Galloway of Our Wyoming Life YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world with over 2 billion users and more than 500 hours of video uploaded every minute.
Steen Stovall
Buildings often outlive their original purpose. Outdated gas stations become obsolete, factory and mill buildings remain standing long after the industries they supported disappear, or...
Andi Lewis
Navigating the new fbo.gov website: beta.sam.gov Whether you’re new to government contracting or you’ve been doing it for a while, there are some new steps you need to take to thoroughly research...
Jake Dixon
For small businesses in Wyoming, email marketing can be an effective way to secure potential customers and re-engage your current clientele. Unlike in days past, the strength of email marketing now...
Audrey Jansen
Your brand is made up of many elements including your logo, colors, fonts, and voice. These elements tell a story to users about who you are so that they can better understand and recognize you.
Kelly Haigler Cornish
If you have an idea or invention, there is a federal innovation funding program that may be able to help youwith research, development, and commercialization. This program awards about $2.
Jill Kline
For a state with a small population, resources for Wyoming entrepreneurs are abundant. However, the question from business owners in all stages of their life cycle is often, “That’s great.
Rob Condie
Are you wondering what can be done in your business to get ready for the tax year end? Here are some ideas to save you some hassle: Contact Your Accountant Schedule a meeting to talk about your...
Jake Dixon
For small business owners, the low costs associated with digital marketing can be very attractive. However, if you’re not careful, you may end up reaching the wrong people or even harming your brand.
John Privette
Regardless of the news on trade agreement negotiations, international trade continues to present opportunities for Wyoming small business. In support of international trade, the state of Wyoming...
Bruce Morse
School is back in session and fall is officially here, so why not take some time to spruce up your retail space before the holiday season arrives? Spruce Up Your Exterior Start outside, and look at...
Susan Jerke
Congratulations, you’ve made the decision to open a real, brick and mortar retail store! The main advantage of an independently-owned store over online shopping is the opportunity to really connect...
Rob Condie
Making sure someone is the right fit and will stick around for a long time are the two main goals small business owners usually have when hiring employees.
Sarah Hamlin
In our current age of rapid information and automation, it is easy to forget how we used to communicate with our community. As a business owner, understanding the difference between building an...
Paul Johnson
Traditional marketing activities include advertising, publicity, and sales — approaches that are certainly not going away. But those outward-facing strategies join today’s inbound marketing...
Jake Dixon
There are many benefits to writing frequent blog posts — as long as the topics are relevant to your business. The simple answer to whether your small business should have a blog is “Yes, if you hav...
Cindy Unger
In a gig economy, companies hire independent contractors and freelancers to complete temporary, flexible jobs, as opposed to full-time employees.
Mike Lambert
In recent months a lot of effort has gone into renewing the vision for economic growth in Wyoming. One component of the plans by the Governor and the Wyoming Business Council recognizes that...
Bruce Morse
Billboard advertising can be very effective if it’s the right fit for your business and if it has been designed to be viewed by users traveling at high speeds.
Sarah Hamlin
Let’s face it, online shopping is here to stay. In addition to seeing an increase in online sales, we are also seeing an increase in offline sales influenced by what customers search for online.
Andi Lewis
You may be surprised at the types of products and services the federal government is looking to buy from small businesses in Wyoming. Whether it’s supplying food to fire fighters, providing...
Sari Kimbell
By Guest Author Sari Kimbell, Founder & CEO of Food Business Success. Are you dreaming of turning your passion for baking, brewing, cooking, gardening, knitting or jewelry-making into a business? O...
Nik Giraldo
Just in time for the summer tourism season, Google has recently announced improvements to its own personalized travel planning service called Trips which allows users to plan and book their activities.
Sarah Hamlin
More than 8.5 million people visited Wyoming as overnight guests last year, resulting in $3.5 billion being spent in our local communities. As we head into the summer, it is time to take stock of...
Cindy Unger
You had no clue that one business could actually be both an LLC and an S Corp, did you? Let me explain further... What is an LLC? A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a legal entity formed under...
Rich Lyles
There are several unwanted telemarketing calls making the rounds in our state and they’re not limited to medical braces or extended vehicle warranties.
Jim Drever
SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) swapping is a major cell phone industry-wide problem and is growing. Simply, a criminal calls a wireless company claiming to be the owner of your number and that th...
Jake Dixon
You have a product or service to sell and know your target audience, but now you need to create an effective message that leads to sales. Creating Marketing Personas — sketches of a key customer...
Mike Lambert
If your business has exempt employees (employees who do not have to be paid overtime), then you should pay attention to new proposed rules issued last month by the Department of Labor (DOL).
Melissa Forziat
When you don't know exactly who would be interested in your product or service or you don't know exactly what to say to them, you are either marketing inefficiently or losing out on sales! Being...
Kelly Haigler Cornish
Do you have an environmental, medical, robotic, distributed ledger, cybersecurity, educational, manufacturing, space or Internet of Things innovation? These are just some of the 24 broad topics to...
Rich Lyles
The United States Air Force has begun the process of replacing the Minuteman III missile system and this could be a big opportunity for small business in Wyoming.
Audrey Jansen
Websites are a vital piece of any marketing strategy, but most entrepreneurs struggle with how to get started creating theirs. To help you get started we've created this handy checklist on how to...
Bruce Morse
There are a number of things that small business owners have to be concerned about these days; cybersecurity, social media marketing, finding employees, competing with the big box stores and the li...
Greg Jordan
Operating a small business in Wyoming can seem like a lonely proposition. Sometimes you feel like there is nowhere to turn and you are the only one facing the problems of ownership.
Jill Kline
New hire onboarding and employee orientation sets the stage of a new employee’s perception of your business and culture, and perhaps more importantly, clearly establishes the businesses expectation...
Jim Drever
How can you tell if a business is one you want to do business with? Both businesses and consumers want to make sure the companies they choose to do business with are legitimate and won't rip them off.
Andi Lewis
An excellent growth tactic for small businesses is to pair with a larger business to go after work and to learn the ropes of government contracting. One way to do this is through the U.S.
Rob Condie
When it comes to small business goals for 2019, bookkeeping may not be the top of that list for most business owners, especially the tedious task of reconciling.
Matt Melinkovich
Guest Author: Matt Melinkovich, Timberline Training If someone told you that about half the people who run fifty percent of America’s most active and inventive businesses will retire in the next fi...
Jessica Brauer
By Guest Author Jessica Brauer, Laramie Main Street Alliance It is no secret that today the world is online, and small businesses are no different.
Susan Jerke
Nearly every business claims Word of Mouth Marketing as their primary tool for reaching new customers, but do they really understand what it is and how to harness its unique messaging? Success is...
Jake Dixon
Saturday, November 24 is Small Business Saturday, which is often the biggest shopping day of the year for local retailers and downtown shops. But really, everyday should be small business day.
Justin Farley
Wyoming Invests Now (WIN) is a new funding opportunity for businesses that also allows residents to become part-owners of companies in the state.
Rob Condie
Should you spend money on an accounting system to keep track of your finances, or should you use a free option that may require more work on your part? This is a question that is almost always aske...
John Privette
International trade involves a lot of rules, regulations and terms that can be confusing to a small business owner, but that shouldn’t stop you from expanding your market outside of the United States.
Rob Condie
One of the biggest obstacles some entrepreneurs must overcome when it comes to starting a business is their credit history. Being “bankable” to get that business loan and launch that business idea...
Susan Jerke
Although the term “foodpreneur” may seem new, it has been around for a while and describes an innovative entrepreneur that has chosen food creation as their passion.
Bruce Morse
Chances are, unless you are an accountant, you didn't go into business because you love working with financial numbers. Small business owners are typically good at making a product or delivering a...
Audrey Jansen
Marketing as if you were bigger begins with an understanding of what the big brands do and, maybe more importantly, what they don’t do. Here are some marketing pitfalls that a big brand would never...
Nik Giraldo
A growing tech sector is starting to take root in Wyoming with startup competitions, hackathons, and technology summits popping up all over the state.
Darcie Hoffland
As a small business owner, you’ve probably been told over and over – Brand! Brand! Brand! That idea is likely an important component to your strategic marketing plan.
Sarah Hamlin
At the end of June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that individual states could require online retailers who are selling products within their borders to collect and remit sales tax.
Justin Farley
Have you ever feared capital gains obligations? This fear plagues many business owners and investors as they consider selling a property and often keeps them from ever investing in a property in th...
Jake Dixon
As a small business owner, you may not have a team of advertisers, researchers and web developers at your disposal. Your main focus is likely on a specific passion that first prompted you to offer...
Cindy Unger
Today, marketing messages fly at consumers from every direction. Competition for customer attention and dollars is fierce, and product differentiation is difficult.
Greg Jordan
The reason many entrepreneurs choose to start their own business is because they have a strong passion in a particular area and want to bring that interest and knowledge to their community.
Mike Lambert
Image this. Your phone rings and a pleasant voice starts talking to you about your recent visit to your favorite restaurant. You reply, and a conversation follows.
Audrey Jansen
Market researcher Audrey Jansen gives some examples of brands that have taken the leap into event or experiential marketing If you are wondering how your brand can stand out in a sea of social medi...
Kelly Haigler Cornish
Every year, the federal government provides $2.5 billion in funding to help innovators bring their ideas to market. Last year alone, the Wyoming Small Business Development (SBDC) Network helped...
Andi Lewis
If you’re looking for more customers for your business, you might wanted to consider the world’s largest purchaser: the U.S. Government. You might be surprised at what federal, state and local...
Bruce Morse
Cash flow issues seem to be a concern for many small businesses. They often stem from a limited understanding of the components of cash flow itself.
Jake Dixon
If you had high expectations for your business website but it seems to be underperforming, you made need to take an in-depth look at some behind-the-scene sections of your online presence.
Nik Giraldo
You've likely had this thought from time to time: How can I make a little extra cash without quitting my day job? What stops most people from moving past daydreaming to starting a side business is the daunting task of finding an idea, launching it and earning additional income.
Jim Drever
If you have ever received an email telling you to verify your email address or account information, especially with an organization where you have no such account, you have seen phishing.
Sarah Hamlin
The landscape of social media marketing is constantly changing and getting started with a new platform can be intimidating. Pinterest currently reports 200 million monthly users and that number is...
Cindy Unger
Since the new tax bill became law, not much has been said about employee withholdings. We'll walk you through the new changes, using the IRS Tax Withholding Calculator, and what you should tell you...
Susan Jerke
We are quickly heading into the season of farmers markets and outdoor festivals! How can you create a beautiful booth display that will stand out in the crowd to increase sales? Here are some tips:...
Cindy Unger
Understand where venture capital comes from and the pros and cons of utilizing this financing resource. Often, the greatest obstacle between a great idea and a profitable business is cash.
Rich Lyles
The federal government spent more than $166 million last year to buy goods and services from Wyoming small businesses and entrepreneurs. The System for Award Management (SAM) matches local business...
Mike Lambert
Just like the shed in the backyard, your online business listings could use a bit of tidying up. But when facing down multiple listings with errors or old information, where does a business owner...
Jake Dixon
Online advertising can leave small business owners wide-eyed at the opportunity to reach a very large and specific audience for little cost. However, many are soon left disappointed when those ads...
Justin Farley
Entrepreneurs often find that financing their business is one of the most challenging hurdles they will face. This is especially true in a state like Wyoming, where we are continually fighting to...
Mike Lambert
If the terms “gig economy” or blockchain payment solutions” do not make sense, then you’re not alone. Most Wyoming small business owners don’t realize how quickly technology is changing the way we...
Kelly Haigler Cornish
Do you have an innovation that warrants funding from the federal government? Companies competing for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funds...
John Privette
The global marketplace has quickly become more accessible, providing small businesses the ability to exploit international trade opportunities.
Sarah Hamlin
On January 11, 2018, Mark Zuckerberg made an announcement about upcoming changes we will soon see added to Facebook. This announcement shared that the goal of Facebook is changing to focus on helpi...
Andi Lewis
If you are interested in doing business with the government and planning to set up a meeting with a contracting officer, you need to ask yourself one question: are you prepared? This question is...
Jill Kline
Owning your own business doesn't mean that you have to do everything alone. Entrepreneurs who have become their own bosses may feel like they have no one to turn to when faced with business...
Bruce Morse
Tax season doesn’t have to be the most dreaded time of year for your business. Save yourself all of the money and headaches that come with confusion, deduction errors, and missed deadlines by getti...
Jim Drever
Phishing is a hacker’s easiest method of gaining access to your computer, network, and personal data. Phishing is most common via an email sent with a file or attachment although there are other...
Rob Condie
Almost every business decision out there depends on one thing: finances. Are your records where they need to be to provide usable data? There are many different accounting systems out there for sma...
Matt Melinkovich
Increasing workplace flow and decreasing waste will help your organization realize real profitable growth. The 5S method can be invaluable for reducing waste and increasing organization cleanliness...
Sarah Hamlin
Having an online presence helps potential customers find your business, but how do you decide if you need a website? Building and maintaining a website is a large undertaking for any small business...
Rich Lyles
The feds added a certification, called third party certification, that states the business is actually owned and controlled by a woman. Typically, women owned small businesses doing business with t...
Mike Lambert
Have you seen the video on Facebook and YouTube of the Backflipping Robot? If not, you might want to check it out here. For anyone who grew up with Arnold and the Terminator movies, this looks a...
Audrey Jansen
We all know that starting your own business is hard. And it doesn't get any easier once you are actually RUNNING that small business and trying to juggle all of the hats you will wear as owner...
Jim Drever
Many cyber attacks are successful because they prey on humans instead of devices. It is a lot easier for criminals to take advantage of people than it is to hack into a system.
Cindy Unger
The first big question before creating a pitch - Have you completed a full business plan yet? Lots of press about successful companies that have started –up with financing from angel or venture...
Susan Jerke
Are you considering the purchase of an existing business? What is the most important thing to know as you begin the process? Theshort answer is, buying or selling a business is all about...
Nik Giraldo
It's been a month since Manufacturing Day and to mark the occasion market researcher Nick Giraldo offers some marketing tips for Wyoming manufacturers.
Crystal Mueller
By Guest Author Crystal Mueller Does the thought of hiring a new employee trigger a panic attack? According to Fast Company (2015), 56% of small business owners reported hiring challenges as a...
Kelly Haigler Cornish
If you missed the chance to attend the 2017 Wyoming Inventor’s Conference October 21 and ask about no-cost patent assistance then don’t worry, this post has you covered.
Bruce Morse
The Holidays are a busy time for many retail businesses, and they will be here soon, so you want your first impression to be a good one. Let’s start outside and look at your store from the customer...
Justin Farley
Leases come in many different shapes and sizes and it is important to understand the intentions of the lease and what effect it may have on your business.
Audrey Jansen
For so long, social media has been about crafting perfect content. Those of us managing social media accounts are used to devoting time to getting everything just right.
Rob Condie
At a recent convention I attended, I was able to participate in a discussion surrounding an accounting software that was relatively new to me, Xero.
Andi Lewis
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has to react quickly in response to national disasters. To be able to respond at a moment’s notice, they keep a list of vendor profiles that can be...
Rob Condie
I get a lot of questions about accounting systems for small businesses, but the question I get the most is the difference between the online and desktop version of QuickBooks.
Brett Housholder
By Brett Housholder, PTAC Program Manager The federal government has certain goals for awarding contracts to certain types of small businesses it has to meet each year and it's a big advantage for...
Susan Jerke
Does your logo accurately reflect the unique culture of your business? Your logo is likely the face of the solid brand that you have built over the years.
Sarah Hamlin
Social networks provide a place for individuals to engage with each other and the brands they love. As a business owner, social media provides you a two-way communication channel to talk to your...
John Privette
As a small business owner, knowing how banks decide whether to give you a loan and at what rate is important. Your personal credit history is an important consideration and the more you know, the...
Sarah Hamlin
Google search trends show that 97% of consumers search the internet to find local goods and services but only 37% of businesses have a claimed local directory listing.
John Privette
Export Credit Insurance through EXIM Bank provides three benefits: protection against non-payment, competitive advantage, lender relationships.
Sarah Hamlin
We are two months and two days away from the big day. August 21st will be here before we know it. What are you doing to help prepare your business for this once in a lifetime event? Communities,...
Bruce Morse
Working with a business advisor could help you obtain a different perspective on our business and create new, exciting possibilities. Having a business advisor can look a number of different ways,...
Rob Condie
Coming to know if your home-based business if ready to move to a retail space. There are some ideas to think about when you are trying to make this important decision.
Andi Lewis
Cyber Security Regulations Coming Due If your company is a Department of Defense (DoD) contractor or subcontractor, the Department of Defense Cyber requirements are something you will need to...
Kelly Haigler Cornish
Research and development (R&D) activity is risky since there is no guarantee that your idea will become a viable product. Early stage innovations are unlikely to attract venture or angel funds.
Rob Condie
Spreadsheets vs. Accounting Software: Where to Begin - This blog post will give some insight on the question of whether a business should start using a spreadsheet for business information or shoul...
David Brim
David Brim writes about using social media and especially LinkedIn to help businesses grow and succeed. I’ve talked with numerous business owners of million-dollar companies who have told me, “My...
Cindy Unger
Update on crowdfunding trends. What do these dogs have to do with Crowdfunding? Nothing that I can think of, but I did get your attention, right? Reward funding via websites like Kickstarter and...
Jim Drever
What ransomeware is and how you protect yourself from it Ransomeware is a computer program (malware) that when installed and run on your computer it will encrypt almost every file on your computer...
Chris Gibbons
Guest Author Chris Gibbons discusses bringing jobs back to the US, and whether commodity market jobs are the way to build wealth, if the US should focus on creating jobs based on innovention.
Andi Lewis
How to decide which Federal agency to target for finding government work. Trying to determine which agency in the Federal government to market your products or services to can be a daunting task.
Nik Giraldo
I have put together some common ways to measure social media ROI in a way that is easy to understand and implement. All it takes is knowing the tools available that can help you track your activity...
Peggy Baker
Whether you are a new business owner or an experienced entrepreneur starting up a new business, these seven tips will save you money when it comes to your trademarks and domain names.
John Privette
Export Credit Insurance protects against international customer non-payment By protecting exporters' accounts receivable, the Export-Import Bank (EXIM) Express Insurance is a product that provides...
Bruce Morse
Make 2017 the year you focus, make decisions, and take action! With another holiday season behind us, most of us are now focused on the New Year with high expectations and new commitments for success.
John Privette
More than 300,000 small and medium-sized U.S. companies are growing by exporting products to foreign buyers. When deciding to export, business owners consider several things including: does exporti...
Mike Lambert
I recently did some research to see what marketers think is hot for 2017. There are some interesting articles out there, including thoughts from Jonathan Herrick, Andrew Gazdecki, Martin Jones and...
Susan Jerke
Have you developed business resolutions for 2017? Regional Director, Susan Jerke, suggests making DECISIONS, instead, to achieve your goals! The new year is already underway! Now is the time that...
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